Canada Receives Its First Two CF-35A Fighters at Luke Air Force Base

The first two Canadian CF-35s arrived at Luke Air Force Base, where they will be used for training in support of the initial phase of the RCAF’s transition from the CF-188 Hornet to the Lightning II.

The Royal Canadian Air Force has received its first two CF-35A Lightning II fighters, a month after the maiden flight of the first. The aircraft arrived at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, on Oct. 22, 2026, where they will support the initial phase of the country’s F-35 program.

The RCAF announced the arrival in a post on its official X account on Oct. 23, saying the two aircraft had arrived at the U.S. Air Force base the previous day. The service also highlighted the importance of personnel and other supporting elements in building its future air and space power capabilities, beyond the acquisition of new equipment.

We are developing the skilled people, integrated capabilities, and modern tools we need to meet future challenges at home and abroad.

— Royal Canadian Air Force (@RCAF_ARC) October 23, 2026

These two aircraft are the first of Canada’s planned F-35A fleet, which will eventually replace the CF-188 Hornet as the backbone of the RCAF’s fighter fleet. Their arrival begins a new phase in Canada’s controversial transition to the fifth-generation fighter, although several steps remain before the first aircraft will be based in Canada.

Initial Training at Luke Air Force Base

The first two Canadian F-35As have arrived at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, a major international training hub for F-35 pilots and maintenance personnel. The base hosts the 56th Fighter Wing of the U.S. Air Force and supports the training of roughly 75 percent of the world’s F-35 pilots.

The F-35 training pipeline focuses heavily on sensor fusion management, network-centric warfare, electronic warfare, and low-observable tactics to master operations in contested, high-threat environments. The 9-month curriculum integrates 300 academic hours, 100 simulator sorties, and 80 live flying hours.

The first Canadian F-35A Lightning II takes off for the maiden flight.l can | Source: Gherardo and Victoria Fontana The initial aircraft will support the establishment of Canada’s F-35 capability, including the training of pilots and ground personnel. Operating the aircraft in the United States allows the RCAF to take advantage of existing training infrastructure and expertise while the Department of National Defense completes the necessary infrastructure to support aircraft delivery in Canada.

The first aircraft to be delivered on home soil in Canada is expected in 2028, with a planned Initial Operational Capability in 2029-2030. The government plans a Full Operational Capability in 2032-2034, with the F-35s continuing to serve beyond 2060.

Canada and the F-35

Canada has been part of the F-35 program since 2002 as a Level 3 partner, however it did not immediately procure the 5th generation fighter jet. The government selected in 2022 the F-35A Lightning II for its Future Fighter Capability Project (FFCP) launched in 2017, which aims to replace the Royal Canadian Air Force’s fleet of legacy CF-188 Hornets (local designation of the F/A-18).

A year later, the country finalized the agreement to acquire 88 fighter jets with an estimated investment of $19 billion. The government said this procurement represents the most significant investment in the RCAF in more than 30 years.

Two CF-188 Hornet jets, 425 Tactical Fighter Squadron, fly in formation with four F-16 fighting falcon aircraft, 120th Fighter Squadron, from Buckley Air Force Base, Colorado, on September 20, 2020, over the skies of Labrador during a NORAD Arctic Air Defense Operation being hosted by 5 Wing Newfoundland, Labrador. | Source: RCAF/Master Corporal Krista Blizzard In March 2025, following the tensions between Canada and the U.S., Canada’s then Defense Minister Bill Blair told reporters that discussions were ongoing about what best serves the country’s defense needs. Blair hinted that the plan to acquire the F-35 could change, with future purchases potentially involving European suppliers.

Later on, in October 2025, the government said it would get at least the 16 jets Canada already paid for. The Secretary of State for Defense Procurement Stephen Fuhr said he “doesn’t think the federal government plans to get out of its contract to buy American-made F-35 fighter jets as 16 planes are currently being manufactured.”

A spokesperson later added that “Canada is contractually obligated to 16 aircraft, which are in various stages of production with the manufacturer. A decision on the full program is currently under review.”

According to the publicly shared timeline, Canada expected the first F-35 to be delivered by the end of 2026. The now-delivered aircraft will stay at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona, to enable the training of Royal Canadian Air Force pilots while the Department of National Defense completes the necessary infrastructure to support aircraft delivery in Canada.

The first aircraft to be delivered on home soil in Canada is expected in 2028, with a planned Initial Operational Capability in 2029-2030. The government plans a Full Operational Capability in 2032-2034, with the F-35s continuing to serve beyond 2060.